Substrate-induced condensation activates plant TIR domain proteins.

Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors with an N-terminal Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain mediate recognition of strain-specific pathogen effectors, typically via their C-terminal ligand-sensing domains1. Effector binding enables TIR-encoded enzymatic activities that are required for TIR-NLR (TNL)-mediated immunity2,3. Many truncated TNL proteins lack effector-sensing domains but retain similar enzymatic and immune activities4,5. The mechanism underlying the activation of these TIR domain proteins remain unclear. Here we show that binding of the TIR substrates NAD+ and ATP induces phase separation of TIR domain proteins in vitro. A similar condensation occurs with a TIR domain protein expressed via its native promoter in response to pathogen inoculation in planta. The formation of TIR condensates is mediated by conserved self-association interfaces and a predicted intrinsically disordered loop region of TIRs. Mutations that disrupt TIR condensates impair the cell death activity of TIR domain proteins. Our data reveal phase separation as a mechanism for the activation of TIR domain proteins and provide insight into substrate-induced autonomous activation of TIR signalling to confer plant immunity.

USF1-mediated ALKBH5 stabilizes FLII mRNA in an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner to repress glycolytic activity in prostate adenocarcinoma.

Upstream-stimulating factor 1 (USF1) is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor implicated in multiple cellular processes, including metabolism and proliferation. This study focused on the function of USF1 in glycolysis and the malignant development of prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD). Bioinformatics predictions suggested that USF1 is poorly expressed in PRAD. The clinical PRAD samples revealed a low level of USF1, which was correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. Artificial upregulation of USF1 significantly repressed glycolytic activity in PRAD cells and reduced cell growth and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Potential downstream genes of USF1 were probed by integrated bioinformatics analyses. The chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays indicated that USF1 bound to the α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5) promoter for transcription activation. Flightless I (FLII) was identified as the gene showing the highest degree of correlation with ALKBH5. As an m6A demethylase, ALKBH5 enhanced FLII mRNA stability by inducing m6A demethylation in an m6A-YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein F2 (YTHDF2)-dependent manner. Either silencing of ALKBH5 or FLII blocked the role of USF1 in PARD cells and restored glycolysis, cell proliferation, and invasion. This study demonstrates that USF1 activates ALKBH5 to stabilize FLII mRNA in an m6A-YTHDF2-dependent manner, thereby repressing glycolysis processes and the progression of PRAD.

Plant receptor-like protein activation by a microbial glycoside hydrolase.

Plants rely on cell-surface-localized pattern recognition receptors to detect pathogen- or host-derived danger signals and trigger an immune response1-6. Receptor-like proteins (RLPs) with a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) ectodomain constitute a subgroup of pattern recognition receptors and play a critical role in plant immunity1-3. Mechanisms underlying ligand recognition and activation of LRR-RLPs remain elusive. Here we report a crystal structure of the LRR-RLP RXEG1 from Nicotiana benthamiana that recognizes XEG1 xyloglucanase from the pathogen Phytophthora sojae. The structure reveals that specific XEG1 recognition is predominantly mediated by an amino-terminal and a carboxy-terminal loop-out region (RXEG1(ID)) of RXEG1. The two loops bind to the active-site groove of XEG1, inhibiting its enzymatic activity and suppressing Phytophthora infection of N. benthamiana. Binding of XEG1 promotes association of RXEG1(LRR) with the LRR-type co-receptor BAK1 through RXEG1(ID) and the last four conserved LRRs to trigger RXEG1-mediated immune responses. Comparison of the structures of apo-RXEG1(LRR), XEG1-RXEG1(LRR) and XEG1-BAK1-RXEG1(LRR) shows that binding of XEG1 induces conformational changes in the N-terminal region of RXEG1(ID) and enhances structural flexibility of the BAK1-associating regions of RXEG1(LRR). These changes allow fold switching of RXEG1(ID) for recruitment of BAK1(LRR). Our data reveal a conserved mechanism of ligand-induced heterodimerization of an LRR-RLP with BAK1 and suggest a dual function for the LRR-RLP in plant immunity.

Extracellular pH sensing by plant cell-surface peptide-receptor complexes.

The extracellular pH is a vital regulator of various biological processes in plants. However, how plants perceive extracellular pH remains obscure. Here, we report that plant cell-surface peptide-receptor complexes can function as extracellular pH sensors. We found that pattern-triggered immunity (PTI) dramatically alkalinizes the acidic extracellular pH in root apical meristem (RAM) region, which is essential for root meristem growth factor 1 (RGF1)-mediated RAM growth. The extracellular alkalinization progressively inhibits the acidic-dependent interaction between RGF1 and its receptors (RGFRs) through the pH sensor sulfotyrosine. Conversely, extracellular alkalinization promotes the alkaline-dependent binding of plant elicitor peptides (Peps) to its receptors (PEPRs) through the pH sensor Glu/Asp, thereby promoting immunity. A domain swap between RGFR and PEPR switches the pH dependency of RAM growth. Thus, our results reveal a mechanism of extracellular pH sensing by plant peptide-receptor complexes and provide insights into the extracellular pH-mediated regulation of growth and immunity in the RAM.

TIR-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation reactions produce signaling molecules for plant immunity.

Plant pathogen-activated immune signaling by nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) receptors with an N-terminal Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain converges on Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1 (EDS1) and its direct partners, Phytoalexin Deficient 4 (PAD4) or Senescence-Associated Gene 101 (SAG101). TIR-encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrolase (NADase) produces signaling molecules to promote exclusive EDS1-PAD4 and EDS1-SAG101 interactions with helper NLR subclasses. In this work, we show that TIR-containing proteins catalyze adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribosylation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and ADP ribose (ADPR) through ADPR polymerase-like and NADase activity, forming ADP-ribosylated ATP (ADPr-ATP) and ADPr-ADPR (di-ADPR), respectively. Specific binding of ADPr-ATP or di-ADPR allosterically promotes EDS1-SAG101 interaction with helper NLR N requirement gene 1A (NRG1A) in vitro and in planta. Our data reveal an enzymatic activity of TIRs that enables specific activation of the EDS1-SAG101-NRG1 immunity branch.

Identification and receptor mechanism of TIR-catalyzed small molecules in plant immunity.

Plant nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) receptors with an N-terminal Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domain sense pathogen effectors to enable TIR-encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrolase (NADase) activity for immune signaling. TIR-NLR signaling requires the helper NLRs N requirement gene 1 (NRG1), Activated Disease Resistance 1 (ADR1), and Enhanced Disease Susceptibility 1 (EDS1), which forms a heterodimer with each of its paralogs Phytoalexin Deficient 4 (PAD4) and Senescence-Associated Gene 101 (SAG101). Here, we show that TIR-containing proteins catalyze the production of 2'-(5''-phosphoribosyl)-5'-adenosine monophosphate (pRib-AMP) and diphosphate (pRib-ADP) in vitro and in planta. Biochemical and structural data demonstrate that EDS1-PAD4 is a receptor complex for pRib-AMP and pRib-ADP, which allosterically promote EDS1-PAD4 interaction with ADR1-L1 but not NRG1A. Our study identifies TIR-catalyzed pRib-AMP and pRib-ADP as a missing link in TIR signaling through EDS1-PAD4 and as likely second messengers for plant immunity.

TIR domains of plant immune receptors are 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases mediating cell death.

2',3'-cAMP is a positional isomer of the well-established second messenger 3',5'-cAMP, but little is known about the biology of this noncanonical cyclic nucleotide monophosphate (cNMP). Toll/interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains of nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors have the NADase function necessary but insufficient to activate plant immune responses. Here, we show that plant TIR proteins, besides being NADases, act as 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases by hydrolyzing RNA/DNA. Structural data show that a TIR domain adopts distinct oligomers with mutually exclusive NADase and synthetase activity. Mutations specifically disrupting the synthetase activity abrogate TIR-mediated cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana (Nb), supporting an important role for these cNMPs in TIR signaling. Furthermore, the Arabidopsis negative regulator of TIR-NLR signaling, NUDT7, displays 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP but not 3',5'-cAMP/cGMP phosphodiesterase activity and suppresses cell death activity of TIRs in Nb. Our study identifies a family of 2',3'-cAMP/cGMP synthetases and establishes a critical role for them in plant immune responses.

The Arabidopsis MIK2 receptor elicits immunity by sensing a conserved signature from phytocytokines and microbes.

Sessile plants encode a large number of small peptides and cell surface-resident receptor kinases, most of which have unknown functions. Here, we report that the Arabidopsis receptor kinase MALE DISCOVERER 1-INTERACTING RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE 2 (MIK2) recognizes the conserved signature motif of SERINE-RICH ENDOGENOUS PEPTIDEs (SCOOPs) from Brassicaceae plants as well as proteins present in fungal Fusarium spp. and bacterial Comamonadaceae, and elicits various immune responses. SCOOP signature peptides trigger immune responses and altered root development in a MIK2-dependent manner with a sub-nanomolar sensitivity. SCOOP12 directly binds to the extracellular leucine-rich repeat domain of MIK2 in vivo and in vitro, indicating that MIK2 is the receptor of SCOOP peptides. Perception of SCOOP peptides induces the association of MIK2 and the coreceptors SOMATIC EMBRYOGENESIS RECEPTOR KINASE 3 (SERK3) and SERK4 and relays the signaling through the cytosolic receptor-like kinases BOTRYTIS-INDUCED KINASE 1 (BIK1) and AVRPPHB SUSCEPTIBLE1 (PBS1)-LIKE 1 (PBL1). Our study identifies a plant receptor that bears a dual role in sensing the conserved peptide motif from phytocytokines and microbial proteins via a convergent signaling relay to ensure a robust immune response.

Pollen PCP-B peptides unlock a stigma peptide-receptor kinase gating mechanism for pollination.

Sexual reproduction in angiosperms relies on precise communications between the pollen and pistil. The molecular mechanisms underlying these communications remain elusive. We established that in Arabidopsis, a stigmatic gatekeeper, the ANJEA-FERONIA (ANJ-FER) receptor kinase complex, perceives the RAPID ALKALINIZATION FACTOR peptides RALF23 and RALF33 to induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the stigma papillae, whereas pollination reduces stigmatic ROS, allowing pollen hydration. Upon pollination, the POLLEN COAT PROTEIN B-class peptides (PCP-Bs) compete with RALF23/33 for binding to the ANJ-FER complex, leading to a decline of stigmatic ROS that facilitates pollen hydration. Our results elucidate a molecular gating mechanism in which distinct peptide classes from pollen compete with stigma peptides for interaction with a stigmatic receptor kinase complex, allowing the pollen to hydrate and germinate.

Ligand-triggered allosteric ADP release primes a plant NLR complex.

Pathogen recognition by nucleotide-binding (NB), leucine-rich repeat (LRR) receptors (NLRs) plays roles in plant immunity. The Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris effector AvrAC uridylylates the Arabidopsis PBL2 kinase, and the latter (PBL2UMP) acts as a ligand to activate the NLR ZAR1 precomplexed with the RKS1 pseudokinase. Here we report the cryo-electron microscopy structures of ZAR1-RKS1 and ZAR1-RKS1-PBL2UMP in an inactive and intermediate state, respectively. The ZAR1LRR domain, compared with animal NLRLRR domains, is differently positioned to sequester ZAR1 in an inactive state. Recognition of PBL2UMP is exclusively through RKS1, which interacts with ZAR1LRR PBL2UMP binding stabilizes the RKS1 activation segment, which sterically blocks ZAR1 adenosine diphosphate (ADP) binding. This engenders a more flexible NB domain without conformational changes in the other ZAR1 domains. Our study provides a structural template for understanding plant NLRs.

Reconstitution and structure of a plant NLR resistosome conferring immunity.

Nucleotide-binding, leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) perceive pathogen effectors to trigger plant immunity. Biochemical mechanisms underlying plant NLR activation have until now remained poorly understood. We reconstituted an active complex containing the Arabidopsis coiled-coil NLR ZAR1, the pseudokinase RKS1, uridylated protein kinase PBL2, and 2'-deoxyadenosine 5'-triphosphate (dATP), demonstrating the oligomerization of the complex during immune activation. The cryo-electron microscopy structure reveals a wheel-like pentameric ZAR1 resistosome. Besides the nucleotide-binding domain, the coiled-coil domain of ZAR1 also contributes to resistosome pentamerization by forming an α-helical barrel that interacts with the leucine-rich repeat and winged-helix domains. Structural remodeling and fold switching during activation release the very N-terminal amphipathic α helix of ZAR1 to form a funnel-shaped structure that is required for the plasma membrane association, cell death triggering, and disease resistance, offering clues to the biochemical function of a plant resistosome.

Identification of critical cysteine sites in brassinosteroid-insensitive 1 and novel signaling regulators using a transient expression system.

The plant hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) modulate plant growth and development. Cysteine (Cys) residues located in the extracellular domain of a protein are of importance for protein structure by forming disulfide bonds. To date, the systematic study of the functional significance of Cys residues in BR-insensitive 1 (BRI1) is still lacking. We used brassinolide-induced exogenous bri1-EMS-Suppressor 1 (BES1) dephosphorylation in Arabidopsis thaliana protoplasts as a readout, took advantage of the dramatic decrease of BRI1 protein levels during protoplast isolation, and of the strong phosphorylation of BES1 by BR-insensitive 2 (BIN2) in protoplasts, and developed a protoplast transient system to identify critical Cys sites in BRI1. Using this system, we identified a set of critical Cys sites in BRI1, as substitution of these Cys residues with alanine residues greatly compromised the function of BRI1. Moreover, we identified two negative regulators of BR signaling, pattern-triggered immunity compromised RLCK1 (PCRK1) and PCRK2, that were previously known to positively regulate innate immunity signaling. This work not only provides insight into the functional importance of critical Cys residues in stabilizing the superhelical conformation of BRI1-leucine-rich-repeat, but also reveals that PCRK1/2 can inversely modulate BR and plant immune signaling pathways.

An illustration of optimal selected glycosidase for N-glycoproteins deglycosylation and crystallization.

Glycoproteins are protein molecules that contain the carbohydrate portion (glycans) covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains, which are assembled in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi by a controlled sequence of glycosyltransferase and glycosidase processing reactions. The presence of N-glycans controls proper folding of both secretory and membrane-bound proteins. In vitro recombinant glycoproteins are normally badly-glycosylated in the insect or mammalian cell lines, especially the secretory proteins. These N-glycans are usually complex, chemically and conformationally heterogeneous and frequently detrimental to the formation of well-ordered crystal lattices, obstructing the development of protein crystallography. Here we present pattern recognition receptor (PRR) of Arabidopsis FLS2 ectodomain after glycosidases treatment can still heterodimerize with its co-receptor BAK1 induced by flg22 through gel-filtration analysis. Appropriate deglycosylation strategies will not impact the characteristic and native conformation of FLS2 recombinant glycoprotein in vitro assay. The data reveals that Endoglycosidase F (Endo F) but not N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) can reduce the N-glycans of the residues of FLS2 ectodomain in native state, providing the probability of enhancing crystallization or raising diffraction resolution by means of different glycosidase combination and optimization.

Identification of Natural Compound Radicicol as a Potent FTO Inhibitor.

The fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), as an m6A demethylase, is involved in many human diseases. Virtual screening and similarity search in combination with bioactivity assay lead to the identification of the natural compound radicicol as a potent FTO inhibitor, which exhibits a dose-dependent inhibition of FTO demethylation activity with an IC50 value of 16.04 µM. Further ITC experiments show that the binding between radicicol and FTO was mainly entropy-driven. Crystal structure analysis reveals that radicicol adopts an L-shaped conformation in the FTO binding site and occupies the same position as N-CDPCB, a previously identified small molecular inhibitor of FTO. Unexpectedly, however, the 1,3-diol group conserved in radicicol and N-CDPCB assumes strikingly different orientations for interaction with FTO. The identification of radicicol as an FTO inhibitor and revelation of its recognition mechanism not only opens the possibility of developing new therapeutic strategies for treatment of leukemia but also provide clues for elucidation of the acting mechanisms of radicicol, which is a possible clinical candidate worth in-depth study.

Structural basis for receptor recognition of pollen tube attraction peptides.

Transportation of the immobile sperms directed by pollen tubes to the ovule-enclosed female gametophytes is important for plant sexual reproduction. The defensin-like (DEFL) cysteine-rich peptides (CRPs) LUREs play an essential role in pollen tube attraction to the ovule, though their receptors still remain controversial. Here we provide several lines of biochemical evidence showing that the extracellular domain of the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase (LRR-RK) PRK6 from Arabidopsis thaliana directly interacts with AtLURE1 peptides. Structural study reveals that a C-terminal loop of the LRR domain (AtPRK6LRR) is responsible for recognition of AtLURE1.2, mediated by a set of residues largely conserved among PRK6 homologs from Arabidopsis lyrata and Capsella rubella, supported by in vitro mutagenesis and semi-in-vivo pollen tube growth assays. Our study provides evidence showing that PRK6 functions as a receptor of the LURE peptides in A. thaliana and reveals a unique ligand recognition mechanism of LRR-RKs.

Structural basis for specific self-incompatibility response in Brassica.

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a widespread mechanism in flowering plants which prevents self-fertilization and inbreeding. In Brassica, recognition of the highly polymorphic S-locus cysteine-rich protein (SCR; or S-locus protein 11) by the similarly polymorphic S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) dictates the SI specificity. Here, we report the crystal structure of the extracellular domain of SRK9 (eSRK9) in complex with SCR9 from Brassica rapa. SCR9 binding induces eSRK9 homodimerization, forming a 2:2 eSRK:SCR heterotetramer with a shape like the letter "A". Specific recognition of SCR9 is mediated through three hyper-variable (hv) regions of eSRK9. Each SCR9 simultaneously interacts with hvI and one-half of hvII from one eSRK9 monomer and the other half of hvII from the second eSRK9 monomer, playing a major role in mediating SRK9 homodimerization without involving interaction between the two SCR9 molecules. Single mutations of residues critical for the eSRK9-SCR9 interaction disrupt their binding in vitro. Our study rationalizes a body of data on specific recognition of SCR by SRK and provides a structural template for understanding the co-evolution between SRK and SCR.

Structural Insight into Recognition of Plant Peptide Hormones by Receptors.

Secreted signaling peptides or peptide hormones play crucial roles in plant growth and development through coordination of cell-cell communication. Perception of peptide hormones in plants generally relies on membrane-localized receptor kinases (RKs). Progress has recently been made in structural elucidation of interactions between posttranslationally modified peptide hormones and RKs. The structural studies suggest conserved receptor binding and activation mechanisms of this type of peptide hormones involving their conserved C-termini. Here, we review these structural data and discuss how the conserved mechanisms can be used to match peptide-RK pairs.

Signature motif-guided identification of receptors for peptide hormones essential for root meristem growth.

Peptide-mediated cell-to-cell signaling has crucial roles in coordination and definition of cellular functions in plants. Peptide-receptor matching is important for understanding the mechanisms underlying peptide-mediated signaling. Here we report the structure-guided identification of root meristem growth factor (RGF) receptors important for plant development. An assay based on a signature ligand recognition motif (Arg-x-Arg) conserved in a subfamily of leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) identified the functionally uncharacterized LRR-RK At4g26540 as a receptor of RGF1 (RGFR1). We further solved the crystal structure of RGF1 in complex with the LRR domain of RGFR1 at a resolution of 2.6 Å, which reveals that the Arg-x-Gly-Gly (RxGG) motif is responsible for specific recognition of the sulfate group of RGF1 by RGFR1. Based on the RxGG motif, we identified additional four RGFRs. Participation of the five RGFRs in RGF-induced signaling is supported by biochemical and genetic data. We also offer evidence showing that SERKs function as co-receptors for RGFs. Taken together, our study identifies RGF receptors and co-receptors that can link RGF signals with their downstream components and provides a proof of principle for structure-based matching of LRR-RKs with their peptide ligands.

Molecular Mechanism for Fungal Cell Wall Recognition by Rice Chitin Receptor OsCEBiP.

Chitin is the major component of fungal cell wall and serves as a molecular pattern that can be recognized by the receptor OsCEBiP in rice, a lysine motif (LysM) receptor-like protein (RLP), to trigger immune responses. The molecular mechanisms underlying chitin recognition remain elusive. Here we report the crystal structures of the ectodomain of OsCEBiP (OsCEBiP-ECD) in free and chitin-bound forms. The structures reveal that OsCEBiP-ECD contains three tandem LysMs followed by a novel structure fold of cysteine-rich domain. The structures showed that chitin binding induces no striking conformational changes in OsCEBiP. Structural comparison among N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) oligomer-bound LysMs revealed a highly conserved recognition mechanism, which is expected to facilitate study of other LysM-containing proteins for their NAG binding. Modeling study showed that chitin induces OsCEBiP homodimerization in a "sliding mode". Our data provide insights into rice chitin receptor-mediated immunity triggered by fungal cell wall.

Crystal structure of PXY-TDIF complex reveals a conserved recognition mechanism among CLE peptide-receptor pairs.

Plants can achieve amazing lifespans because of their continuous and repetitive formation of new organs by stem cells present within meristems. The balance between proliferation and differentiation of meristem cells is largely regulated by the CLAVATA3/ENDOSPERM SURROUNDING REGION (CLE) peptide hormones. One of the well-characterized CLE peptides, CLE41/TDIF (tracheary elements differentiation inhibitory factor), functions to suppress tracheary element differentiation and promote procambial cell proliferation, playing important roles in vascular development and wood formation. The recognition mechanisms of TDIF or other CLE peptides by their respective receptors, however, remain largely elusive. Here we report the crystal structure of TDIF in complex with its receptor PXY, a leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase (LRR-RK). Our structure reveals that TDIF mainly adopts an "Ω"-like conformation binding to the inner surface of the LRR domain of PXY. Interaction between TDIF and PXY is predominately mediated by the relatively conserved amino acids of TDIF. Structure-based sequence alignment showed that the TDIF-interacting motifs are also conserved among other known CLE receptors. Our data provide a structural template for understanding the recognition mechanism of CLE peptides by their receptors, offering an opportunity for the identification of receptors of other uncharacterized CLE peptides.